Apr 17, 2026 10:00 EST
Coins, Bank Notes, Stamps & Collectibles
95
United States. Final Postal Money Order Issued by the Hawaiian Republic and First Post Money Order Issued by the United States Government. June 13th and 14th, 1900.
An absolutely fascinating group of ephemera and correspondence related to the transition from an independent Hawaiian postal system to a United States territorial one. Anchored by two postal money orders, the last issued under the Hawaiian Republic and the first issued under the new U.S. administration. Surely of interest to Postal Money Order collectors, and anyone interested in the postal history of the 50th state.
Includes four pieces.
1. The last Postal Money Order issued under Hawaiian sovereignty, serial number 49821. Handwritten note in red ink “This is the last domestic order issued in the Hawaiian Islands under the administration of the Hawaiian Republic” and recipient. Signed by Jos. M. Oat, Postmaster in Honolulu.
2. The first Post Money Order issued by the U.S. government, serial number 1. Handwritten note in red ink at left reading “This is the first United States Money Order issued in the Hawaiian Islands” and recipient. Signed by Jos. M. Oat, Postmaster in Honolulu.
3. Includes a letter from H.B. Hall, Post Office Inspector in Honolulu to W.E. Cochran, the Chief Post Office Inspector in Washington D.C., presenting the two Postal Money Orders. The letter was sent from Los Angeles on Oct. 31st, 1900. On Post Office Department, Office of Post Office Inspector letterhead.
Mailed to W.E. Cochran, Chief Post Office Inspector of Washington D.C., who handwrote
“Washington, Nov. 19, 1900.
Mrs. F.F. Yow, Schuylerville, N.Y.
I am in the same attitud [sic.] as Inspector Hall on the matter ‘I have no especial desire to preserve them myself.’ Do you want them?
W.E. Cochran, Chief Inspector.”
4. Page of an auction catalog listing the group, without the name of the firm, or the date of sale. Looks to be early-to-mid twentieth century.
This is a sold as is, no return lot.
Sold for $20,570
Estimated at $5,000 - $10,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
An absolutely fascinating group of ephemera and correspondence related to the transition from an independent Hawaiian postal system to a United States territorial one. Anchored by two postal money orders, the last issued under the Hawaiian Republic and the first issued under the new U.S. administration. Surely of interest to Postal Money Order collectors, and anyone interested in the postal history of the 50th state.
Includes four pieces.
1. The last Postal Money Order issued under Hawaiian sovereignty, serial number 49821. Handwritten note in red ink “This is the last domestic order issued in the Hawaiian Islands under the administration of the Hawaiian Republic” and recipient. Signed by Jos. M. Oat, Postmaster in Honolulu.
2. The first Post Money Order issued by the U.S. government, serial number 1. Handwritten note in red ink at left reading “This is the first United States Money Order issued in the Hawaiian Islands” and recipient. Signed by Jos. M. Oat, Postmaster in Honolulu.
3. Includes a letter from H.B. Hall, Post Office Inspector in Honolulu to W.E. Cochran, the Chief Post Office Inspector in Washington D.C., presenting the two Postal Money Orders. The letter was sent from Los Angeles on Oct. 31st, 1900. On Post Office Department, Office of Post Office Inspector letterhead.
Mailed to W.E. Cochran, Chief Post Office Inspector of Washington D.C., who handwrote
“Washington, Nov. 19, 1900.
Mrs. F.F. Yow, Schuylerville, N.Y.
I am in the same attitud [sic.] as Inspector Hall on the matter ‘I have no especial desire to preserve them myself.’ Do you want them?
W.E. Cochran, Chief Inspector.”
4. Page of an auction catalog listing the group, without the name of the firm, or the date of sale. Looks to be early-to-mid twentieth century.
This is a sold as is, no return lot.
Auction: Coins, Bank Notes, Stamps & Collectibles, Apr 17, 2026
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Successful Auction of Coins, Stamps, Bank Notes & Collectibles on April 17, 2026
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A Near-Unique 1868-E 5 Francs Gold Essai Achieves $33,275
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
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We Invite You to Contact Us for Complimentary Auction Estimates of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY – Doyle held a successful auction of Coins, Stamps, Bank Notes & Collectibles on April 17, 2026 that delivered strong results amid international bidding. Collectors and enthusiasts vied for a wide range of United States and World numismatic rarities from collections in the New York area and other regions of the country.
1868 5 Franc Gold Essai
Highlighting the sale was a French numismatic rarity—a near-unique 5 franc gold essai from 1868 that sailed past its $10,000-20,000 estimate to realize $33,275 amid trans-Atlantic bidding. The essai, or test coin, was part of a small group of similar pieces produced at the Paris Mint in 1868. They are comparable to pattern coins used to evaluate new designs, compositions, and minting techniques. Like pattern coins, essais are often extremely rare and highly collectible. This example is cataloged as Maz-1629, named for Jean Mazard (1900–1984), a French jurist and numismatist whose works on 18th, 19th and 20th century French coinage include a reference on essais. The current example is the only Maz-1629 reported in PCGS’ Population Report, and NGC’s Census also reports a single example.
1900 Hawaii Postal System
Also noteworthy was a fascinating group of ephemera and correspondence related to the transition from an independent Hawaiian postal system to a United States territorial one in 1900. The lot was anchored by two postal money orders—the last issued under the Hawaiian Republic on June 13 and the first issued under the new U.S. administration on June 14. This postal rarity of the 50th state more than doubled its $5,000-10,000, selling for $20,570.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
